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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "western union" (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "you are required to pay " (this will cost you money - be careful with upfront payments to anyone you only know through email, especially if they promise you a lot of money. NEVER send money by Western Union or MoneyGram to people you do not know personally - NO EXCEPTIONS! Instant wire transfer services are not meant to be used with strangers because they offer no protection against fraud. That is precisely why the criminals want you send money that way. )
- "million us dollars" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- ",000,000" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "00,000.00" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "abuja" (a location commonly mentioned in 419 scams)
- "customer.care101@yandex.com" (this email address has been used in a known scam)
- This email message is a 419 scam. Please see our 419 FAQ for more details on such scams.
- Western Union money transfer is completely untraceable and therefore is *not* safe to use with anyone you do not know personally. It is the preferred method of online criminals to collect money from their victims.
Fraud email example:
From: "drosibanjo.vice-president" <drosibanjo.vice-president@yandex.com>
Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2015 00:15:51 +0900
Subject: From the Desk Dr Osibanjo Vice-President Federal Republic of
Nigeria,
From the Desk Dr Osibanjo Vice-President
Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asorock Villla
Karki Abuja Nigeria.
We Apologize
for the little delay in contacting you back.
This is to remind you Sir/Madam that we received the instructional
letter from Mrs Janet Yellen Chairman Federal Reserve bank of New York
to finalize your transaction in Nigeria because your fund originated
from CBN and because of the numerous messages they receive
concerning your outstanding fund valued $11,000,000.00 Eleven million
us dollars by setting an online account in your name to enable you
have access to make withdraw from your ATM MASTER CARD in any part of
the world.
Contact the delivery company with the information underneath and note you are
once again reminded to furnish your full residential address in other
to avoid any ghost
delivery on transit. Note you are required to pay $100 for your
delivery charges only.
CONTACT COMPANY
FEDEX COURIER DELIVERY SERVICE
CONTACT PERSON Richmond Ike
EMAIL: customer.care101@yandex.com
PHONE + 234 811 338 7575
You are once advised to get back to me with the money/gram or Western
Union slip for recording purpose.
CONGRATULATIONS
Secretary to Vice-President
Mr Usman Shamsudeen
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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Anti-fraud resources:
